Tag Archives: billy wilder

Screenplay by Billy Wilder and Charles Brackett, based on the novel by Charles R. Jackson

Starring Ray Milland and Jane Wyman

I must apologize for the delay in making this post, because it has been a few weeks since the last, to say the least. When I started this project, and this blog, I always imagined I’d do weekly updates, maybe bi-weekly at worst, and yet here it is that I’ve been several weeks between. In most cases I could blame work and other commitments and to a certain extent that’s true here as well. Unfortunately, it’s not the only culprit. Continue reading →

Here’s an intriguing question: What does it take for an actor to win an Oscar? Leaving the little matter of politics out of it, my curiosity is over what kind of performance does it take for an actor to win an Oscar? Is it better to play a showy role where the scenery can be chewed in all it’s glory, or at least one where we know a part is being played? Or, is it better to play a role that rewards the naturalistic, showcasing the kind of acting where the actor doesn’t’ even seem to be acting? Continue reading →

There’s a terrible habit with the Academy to bestow awards on actors and filmmakers for the wrong film, making up for past slights or losses. Bette Davis took the award for Dangerous the year after she wasn’t even nominated for Of Human Bondage and lost as a write-in candidate. Henry Fonda couldn’t win with Tom Joad or even get a nomination as Frank, in Once Upon a Time In The West, but could go home victorious for dreck like On Golden Pond. Paul Newman couldn’t get love for Fast Eddie Felson until 20 years too late, with the lesser film The Color of Money. Martin Scorcese could lose for four strong films that would be the crown-jewel of any other career – TaxiDriver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Aviator – and yet win somehow he won Best Picture and Best Director for the good, yet lesser, The Departed. Continue reading →